On Training Wheels

Hello! I’m new here and need some advice. I recently acquired my first vintage bicycle, a pre-1910 Iver Johnson in totally rusty condition. It spent many decades in my neighbor’s leaky garage. I’m dating it based on the Iver Johnson thread here on the Cabe that uses serial numbers. Looks like 180203. The bicycle appears to be all original and solid, and the pedals crank easily. Spokes are rusty but seem strong. There is no brake, coaster or otherwise. The front tire is missing the tube. 26” tires. Believe it or not, the bell actually rings, in a rusty sort of way. The handlebar grip are wood.

Look Ma, No Hands!

Hi. I've seen this bike up close and have some questions. The rear hub is a fixie; is this stock? The tires are clinchers. I am guessing the original rims were wood and the tires were glue-on, but the wheels warped and newer ones were re-laced to the hubs. The owner is inquiring about tires; where would these be found? They say 26 x 1 3/8.

Would it be proper to wirebrush this bike, heavily except for the spokes, and then lube it to ride? I am concerned with the spoke strength.

Wore out three sets of tires already!

A couple issues you may need to address if you hope to put this bike back on the road. Appears that sprocket is rubbing the frame which could mean issues with crank bearings, cups, or cones, and there also appears that there may be a crack in the chain stay.

Look Ma, No Hands!

A couple issues you may need to address if you hope to put this bike back on the road. Appears that sprocket is rubbing the frame which could mean issues with crank bearings, cups, or cones, and there also appears that there may be a crack in the chain stay.

I'm the Wiz, and nobody beats me!

Hi Otis! -Welcome to our group!
as crusty as the two reflectors may seem, they are probably worth some decent bread.
If you wana ride her, find a pr of 28" Raleigh wheels for her, or a pr of 700 series wheels/tires. Or of $$ not an object a pair of Noah Stutzman wood wheels.

On Training Wheels

Hi All,
Thank you for taking the time to look at the many photos and your advice about the IJ. I’m not sure if that’s a crack, but if it is it is very tight and not deep, which I guess is good. Please see the additional pictures.
My friend John Williams (who posted above) and I will look it over better. I’m ignorant as to most of this stuff but have learned a lot from John and just reading through different threads here.

What about using the current rims, even though not original? What tires would I need? Would the spokes be strong enough?

Look Ma, No Hands!

Hi everyone. I have taken apart this IJ. There is no frame crack and the crank is not rubbing as it turns out. The serial number is 150268, I have found some info on this on CABE. The owner thinks 1905. Any opinions? It is cleaning up well. I need to know what kind of tires to buy, will any 26 x 1 3/8 non-Schwinn tires fit these rims? And I may have some upcoming questions about taking apart the crank....

Look Ma, No Hands!

The chainring looks okay up close; we will test the bike carefully (I am 145 pounds, Frank's over 200). It's a fixie with no auxiliary brake, so it has to be ridden carefully. I did a nuts and bolts cleaning, and am putting it back together. The rear tire is really on there, and I'm not able to budge it with any kind of lever
... pics attached so far--

Finally riding a big boys bike

The teeth on the chainring should look like flat top pyramids in profile, so if it's to be ridden for appreciable distances, you'll probably want to get another chainring. Cleaning up really nice, though! Does the rear tire hold air?

Look Ma, No Hands!

The teeth on the chainring should look like flat top pyramids in profile, so if it's to be ridden for appreciable distances, you'll probably want to get another chainring. Cleaning up really nice, though! Does the rear tire hold air?

The teeth on the chainring should look like flat top pyramids in profile, so if it's to be ridden for appreciable distances, you'll probably want to get another chainring. Cleaning up really nice, though! Does the rear tire hold air?

Click to expand...

Yes the tire holds air. It will not come off the rim, and we want to replace both tires with white period-looking ones. Not sure what to do.

Finally riding a big boys bike

I'm not sure how to remove it without destroying it. May be the only way if it's metal bead clincher and the rubber deteriorated, leaving the bead to rust to the rim. There may be a better product than I can think of, but if you can get a good liquid penetrant, spray around where the tire and rim joins, leave it overnight (maybe hitting it another time or two), then get some sturdy picks or whatever can get in there to work the rubber and metal off. This method worked pretty well on rubber engine hoses in a marine environment, so maybe it would help here.

Cruisin' on my Bluebird

The chainring looks okay up close; we will test the bike carefully (I am 145 pounds, Frank's over 200). It's a fixie with no auxiliary brake, so it has to be ridden carefully. I did a nuts and bolts cleaning, and am putting it back together. The rear tire is really on there, and I'm not able to budge it with any kind of lever
View attachment 782388
... pics attached so far--